Awesome...

My brother John is pictured here with Lt. Col Oliver North. He got to meet him and (my SIL) Holly said he got to sit by him at lunch. How cool is that? Keep him and the rest of our troops and families in your prayers this fourth of July weekend!

I will dance with Cinderella...

My firstborn and only daughter is eight years old today. (sniff...sniff). It has gone by too fast for me. It seems like yesterday this nine pound bundle of sweetness was put into my arms and made us a family of three. I remember when we left the hospital that James drove home very carefully. LOL It has been a joy to raise a precious girl that God has entrusted to us. I have loved the bows, pink....well...pink everything...princesses...barbies...dresses....squeals...singing at the top of her lungs.....everything about this sweet girl.

So since I can't make time slow down....I will slow down and cherish every moment with my favorite girl...and dance with Cinderella....

The following is the lyrics to her favorite song by Steven Curtis Chapman

She spins and she sways
To whatever song plays
Without a care in the world
And I'm sitting here wearing
The weight of the world on my shoulders

It's been a long day
And there's still work to do
She's pulling at me
Saying "Dad, I need you

There's a ball at the castle
And I've been invited
And I need to practice my dancing
Oh, please, Daddy, please?"

So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone...

She says he's a nice guy and I'd be impressed
She wants to know if I approve of the dress
She says, "Dad, the prom is just one week away
And I need to practice my dancing
Oh, please, Daddy, please?"

So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone

She will be gone

Well, she came home today with a ring on her hand
Just glowing and telling us all they had planned
She says, "Dad, the wedding's still six months away
But I need to practice my dancing
Oh, please, Daddy, please?"

So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone



I just hope the next eight years don't go as fast.......

Where everybody knows your name...

If you grew up in the 80's....then you know that song...from that show.....but if you stop and really think about it...especially if you have kids...we all want to belong to a place or have friends where everyone knows your name. Where people know the real you....what you like...dislike...friends that you can count on to be there no matter what. I am horrible with names....especially when I meet someone new...it takes me forever to remember....blame it on mommy brain (those of you that are mommies especially of young ones  you understand!) I say all that to say this....I love the church we have been visiting....people know your name...they go out of their way to say hello and call you by name. People here are real....and you are accepted for you....they are honest in their walk with God...and let me tell you God is in this place and with the leadership of this church. We have been through churches where certain groups were running it and not concerned about letting God in.....where it was a country club and more about social status. We got to see a lot of what this church is about during VBS....and I love what I saw....this is a group of diverse people...middle class, military famiies, retirees, young families....etc. This is a place where everyone knows your name...this is truly a family and I believe how the body of believers should truly be. Do you have a place like that??

Heart of a German Shephard

LuLu Bell is our "fourth child." LOL She is very entertaining to her little brother and will lick you to death if you let her. She also thinks she is bigger than she is. I really think when she looks into the mirror she sees a german shepard instead of a miniature daschund. This is why she has to bark at anyone that gets close to the apartment....whether they are on the road....on the sidewalk...if she can see them out of the door then she has got to jump out of daddy's chair and bark up a storm. While this proves she is very protective it is not always a good thing when baby brother is asleep and she scares him....

9 months

Little man is 9 months old. I can't believe he is going to be a year old soon....sigh...it has gone way too fast. He has his 9 month old appt on the 12th. While I am not looking forward to his shots I am interested to see how his stats are. He is still on stage 2 food at the moment. We tried stage 3 but he still gets choked a bit...so I will try again in a couple of weeks. He has four teeth on the bottom and two on top. He still is not crawling.....he would rather roll everywhere. He is sitting up pretty good. He loves to watch his brother and sister and still thinks LuLu (our daschund) is so funny. He is saying dada, baba, and sometimes mama....working on the roll tide...LOL. He is in 12-18 month clothing and some 24 month depending on how they are made. He really loves mickey mouse....so I am thinking instead of the sock moneky theme for his first birthday we may end up doing mickey mouse.

Austin is finishing up summer school. He has one more week left. His reading has improved and we have been working at home too. He loves to get on the computer and work on star fall. He has had such a good attitude about school and going....I just hope it continues this next year. He loves playing the sega his daddy got out of the barn at his parents...and yes...it still works after being in there for about then years! LOL 

Emily Grace turns 8 next week....(insert another deep sigh here). I keep thinking it is too close to double digits and the tween years...then teenage years and..........AHHHHHHHHH. I just think I have two more years of her letting me dress her in smocked dress, mongrammed shirts and bows....(insert another sigh here). At least we are getting another girl in the family (my niece Jordan and hubby Stephen are having Audrey in Sept.) since my other two nieces (Morgan and Maddie) are too old for those kinds of things. Em has been keeping busy this summer reading, teaching herself cursive writing, and waiting for school to start back up. She is really excited about third grade.

Summer Fun

May Happenings

Little man turned 8 months ...sigh...he is growing up way too fast!! He has finally gotten some teeth...3 on the bottom and now two on the top. He is sitting up pretty good. He will scoot around on his back on roll around to get where he wants. He loves mickey mouse clubhouse....he gets so excited to see Mickey. He weighs 23 pounds and I think he about 31 inches. He is also on his third round of antibotics for his ears....his left ear is still infected. I am hoping this antibotic will finally clear it up.

Austin finished kindergarten. He has come along way since January with his reading...we will continue to work on it. He is going to go to summer school 4 days a week starting tomorrow and is pretty excited about it. He will only be there from 8-12 and I think it will be good for him. He still loves superheroes and driving his sister crazy. LOL

Emily Grace finished second grade. Can't believe she is a third grader and is about to turn 8 next month. She is doing well is a house full of boys...LOL. She has been reading up a storm and loves the magic treehouse series. She is a great learner and loves to research things that interest her. She is looking forward to going to soccer camp ar FBC of Hartford this summer.

 

 

Only yesterday...

      Austin was born on Mother's Day 6 years ago....sometimes that seems just like yesterday that we brought him home. I cannot believe how fast it has gone by. Austin you are such a joy....you are 100% boy...you love your superheroes...your sister (sometimes...LOL)..you love to entertain your little brother...you are a walking commercial especially for places to eat....you are full of energy and love to run....you have a tender heart and love to help others. I love being your Mommy and look forward to seeing what God has enstored for you.

Sweet Home Alabama

Pray for our state....so many lives and property lost. James and I watched 33/4o on the web as James Spann (who is the best meterologist ever!) and the rest of the staff gave us info on the bad weather as it was passing through were we had lived  and where we have friends and family still. Thankfully I have heard from most everyone that they are ok. Pray for the rescue workers too...I imagine it is very overwhelming at this point. I love living in a state where people come together when it matters the most to help those that have lost so much.....I love sweet home Alabama!

Surprise

These pictures are from my Holly (my SIL). My brother, John has been serving in the Air Force and has been overseas. He got to come home on leave and surprise Hanna at school. I love this. I am waiting on the news video to post on FB then I will post it. I think this needs to go on the show coming home on lifetime. I am sure this is one surprise Hanna will not forget! I love it!!!!!!